Marilyn Tavenner might be beneficiary of bipartisan nod

President Barack Obama’s nominee to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will go before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday with potential for bipartisan support for her confirmation.

Marilyn Tavenner, who has been running the agency in an acting capacity for more than a year, appears to have risen above the volatile politics of health reform to garner support — or at least not vocal, universal opposition — on Capitol Hill.

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If confirmed, Tavenner would be the first leader at CMS to get through the Senate since 2004, when Republican Mark McClellan got Senate approval. He stepped down in 2006.

That’s not to say her hearing will be easy. Tavenner is expected to get tough questions about implementation of the health law and about Medicare and Medicaid.

She’s also likely to get questions about how market-moving news leaked out of CMS on Monday about Medicare Advantage rates that were officially released later that day. Sen. Chuck Grassley, one of the top Republicans on the panel, has already has demanded that she turn over emails and other details about who knew about the rates and when.

As is standard, a vote on Tavenner’s confirmation is not expected on Tuesday, to allow time for her to answer follow-up questions.

One Senate Democratic aide said some Republicans might use the hearing “as an opportunity to voice concerns” about the president’s health reform law. “But I think at the end of the day, there are many Republicans who support the confirmation of Ms. Tavenner. She’s more than highly qualified and has demonstrated that in the post for more than a year now,” the aide said.

Tavenner was first nominated for the job in November 2011, when the recess appointment of her predecessor, Don Berwick, was about to expire.

The top Republican on Senate Finance, Orrin Hatch of Utah, hasn’t yet said whether he will support her.

“Sen. Hatch views Marilyn Tavenner as a bright and capable nominee,” said his spokeswoman, Julia Lawless. “He looks forward to examining her record and gaining a better understanding of her views of Medicare, Medicaid and the president’s health law in the upcoming Finance hearing.”

Republican sources say she has been forthcoming in conversation.

Jeff Cohen, an executive vice president at the Federation of American Hospitals, said, “I don’t think we are beyond the partisan politics of [the health reform law], but it is worth noting Marilyn seems to uniquely transcend those politics. She’s a straight shooter, and is so well respected. There is simply no one better for this appointment.”

Tavenner also has the backing of major health industry groups. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, who knows her from her work in Virginia, has also spoken favorably of her.